Floribunda rose plant named ‘JACtorse’

ABSTRACT

Floribunda rose plant having bright, deep pink or light red flowers with a light pink reverse presented in large, open clusters; vigorous, upright growth habit; and dark green, very glossy foliage having excellent disease resistance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the floribunda class which was originated by me by crossing thevariety ‘JACient’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,725), with an unnamed redfloribunda (not patented).

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rose varietyhaving the excellent health, the glossy, dark green foliage, and thelarge open clusters of the female parent, combined with the bright redflower color of the unnamed seedling floribunda male parent. Theobjective was substantially achieved, along with other desirableimprovements, as evidenced by the following unique combination ofcharacteristics that are outstanding in the new variety and thatdistinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other varieties ofwhich I am aware:

1. Bright, deep pink or light red flower with a light pink reverse;

2. Flowers presented in large, open clusters;

3. Vigorous, upright growth habit;

4. Dark green, very glossy foliage; and

5. Excellent disease resistance.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding, as performed atWasco, Calif., shows that the foregoing and all other characteristicsand distinctions come true to form and are established and transmittedthrough succeeding propagations.

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society (London) colour chart, except where ordinarydictionary significance of color is indicated.

Parentage:

Seed parent.—‘JACient’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,725).

Pollen parent.—Unnamed red floribunda (unnamed seedling×unnnamedseedling — not patented).

Classification:

Botanical.—Rosa hybrida.

Commercial.—Floribunda.

FLOWER

Observations made from specimens grown in a garden environment at Somis,Calif., March 1998 to August 1999.

Blooming habit: Continuous.

Bud:

Size.—One inch long when the petals start to unfurl.

Form.—The bud form is short; pointed ovoid.

Color.—When sepals first divide, bud color is Red Group 53D with someareas of Red Group 53A where the bud was exposed early to sunlight. Whenhalf blown, the upper sides of the petals are Red Group 45D with adistinctive Yellow Group 6D patch at the petal base; and the lower sidesof the petals are Red Group 49C with a Yellow Group 4A patch at thepetal base.

Sepals.—Color: Green Group 138B with, when exposed to bright sunlight, alight cast of Greyed-Purple Group 184D. Surface texture: Covered in finehairs. There are three heavily appendaged sepals. There are twounappendaged sepals with hairy edges.

Receptacle.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 146B, except when exposed tobright sunlight; then it is Greyed-Purple Group 183B. Shape: Funnel.Size: Medium, about {fraction (7/16)} inches×{fraction (5/16)} inches.Surface: Smooth.

Peduncle.—Length: Short, averaging about 1¾ inches. Surface: Smooth.Color: Yellow-Green Group 146B, except when exposed to bright sun; thenit is a Greyed-Purple Group 183B. Strength: Stiff; erect.

Bloom:

Size.—Medium. Average open diameter is about 3½ inches.

Borne.—Several together in pyramidal clusters of three to nine blooms.

Stems.—Strength: Strong. Average length is about 12-16 inches.

Form.—When first open: High centered. Permanence: Flattens; outer petalscurl back.

Petalage.—Number of petals under normal conditions: 25-30.

Color.—The upper sides of the petals are Red Group 45D with adistinctive Yellow Group 6D patch at the petal base. The reverse sidesof the petals are Red Group 49C with a Yellow Group 4A patch at thepetal base. The base of each petal has a small, {fraction(1/16)}″×{fraction (1/16)}″, Yellow Group 7A half moon at the point ofattachment on the upper side. The lower side has a similar mark, but itis Yellow Group 7C. The major color on the upper side is Red Group 45D.

Variegations.—There are on some petals, small streaks of Yellow Group6D.

Discoloration.—The general tonality at the end of the first day: Nochange. At the end of the third day: No change. At day five or six, theupper petals change to Red-Purple Group 57B, and on day six or seven toRed-Purple Group 57C. By day seven, the petals drop.

Fragrance.—Slight; apple.

Petals:

Texture.—Thick.

Shape.—Deltoid.

Form.—Tips slightly recurved; edges slightly quilled.

Arrangement.—Imbricated. Petaloids in the center: None.

Persistence.—Petals drop off cleanly before drying.

Lastingness.—On the plant: Fair (about six days). As a cut flower: Fair(about seven to eight days).

Reproductive parts:

Anthers.—Size: Medium. Quantity: Many. Color: Yellow-Orange Group 22C.Arrangement: Regular around styles.

Filaments.—Color: Yellow-Orange Group 14A.

Pollen.—Present.

Styles.—Color: Green-White Group 157B.

Stigmas.—Color: Yellow-White Group 158A.

Plant:

Form.—Bush.

Growth.—Vigorous; upright; branching. At maturity, height is 40-44inches, width is 32-36 inches.

Foliage: Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves: five.

Size.—Large (about 5 to 5½ inches long×4 to 4½ inches wide).

Quantity.—Abundant.

Color.—New foliage: Upper and lower surfaces: Greyed-Purple Group 183A.Old foliage: Upper surface: Green Group 139A. Lower surface: Green Group137A.

Leaflets:

Shape.—Pointed oval.

Texture.—Leathery; glossy.

Edge.—Serrated.

Serration.—Single; small.

Petiole rachis.—Color: Upper: Greyed-Purple Group 183B, turning to GreenGroup 137D with age. The lower surface is Yellow-Green Group 148B.

Petiole underside.—Smooth.

Stipules.—Long (about ¾ inches); serrated; bearded.

Disease resistance.—Resistant to mildew and rust, and tolerant ofblackspot under normal growing conditions.

Wood:

New wood.—Color: Greyed-Purple Group 183A. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.—Color: Green-Group 137A with a cast of Greyed-Purple Group183B until the wood is fully mature. Bark: Smooth.

Prickles:

Quantity.—On main canes from base: Ordinary. On laterals from maincanes: Ordinary.

Form.—Medium; hooked downward.

Color when young.—Greyed-Purple Group 183D.

Color when mature.—Greyed-Red Group 181C.

Small prickles:

Quantity.—On main stalks: None. On laterals: None.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the floribundaclass, substantially as herein shown and described, characterizedparticularly by its bright, deep pink or light red flowers with a lightpink reverse presented in large, open clusters; vigorous, upright growthhabit; and dark green, very glossy foliage having excellent diseaseresistance.